The collection of this usage data is based on software metering
rules that can be configured by the administrator in the
Configuration Manager console, or by the automatic generation of
rules that are based on usage data collected by Configuration
Manager inventory. The Software Metering Client Agent evaluates
these rules on Configuration Manager client computers, collects
metering data, and reports this back to the site database. The
Software Metering Client Agent continues to collect usage data when
there is no connection to the Configuration Manager site and
reports this back when the connection is re-established. Software
metering data that is held on the site database is summarized on a
specified schedule and propagated up through the site hierarchy to
any parent site. As a result, the central Configuration Manager
site database contains usage data from all client computers within
the site hierarchy.

By default, software metering rules are active only on the
Configuration Manager site where they were created. When you create
a rule, you can specify that it should be copied to all child sites
of the Configuration Manager site where it was created.

After you collect usage data from Configuration Manager clients,
you can use different features to view the data, including
collections, queries, and reporting. This data, combined with data
from software inventory, can assist your organization in
determining the following:

How many copies of a particular software
program have been deployed to the computers in your organization.
Among those computers, you can determine how many users actually
run the program.

How many licenses of a particular software
program you need to purchase when you renew your license agreement
with the software vendor.

Whether any users are still running a
particular software program. If the program is not being used, you
might consider retiring the program.